Job Title (select from ACES or request new title from HRBP)

/ Data Architect - Analytics

Department

/ Group Technology

Location

/ London & Maidenhead

Duration

/ Permanent

Hours

/ Full time

Reports To/Line Manager

/ Head of Analytics

Number of Direct Reports

/ Variable offshore developers

Date Job Description created

/ November 2014

How to apply (if not via ACES)

/ Please submit your CV through

Closing date

/ 19th December

This job description is subject to periodic review and amendment as necessary

Job Purpose (1 – 2 sentences outlining the primary objective of the role)

/ The Data Architect will work with the Head of Analytics and a range of Stakeholders including Finance Managers, CRM Managers, Technical Architects, DBAs, Data Owners and Stewards to implement a strategic landscape and ensure the strategic vision for data architecture is met and maintained
In addition they will manage, guide and supervise multiple teams of technical consultants and developers (both onshore and offshore) in the development and implementation of a variety of technologies and applications. The Technical Lead will design, plan, organize and control all technical activities associated with the development of cross-functional technical projects of varying sizes.

Main Accountabilities and Responsibilities (8 – 12 key statements of what the jobholder does and the decisions they make)

/ Development and Delivery
  • Provides technical management for the design, estimation, development, testing, and systems integration across multiple projects from definition phase through to implementation for a defined Portfolio
  • Collaborates with internal and external architecture and infrastructure teams to ensure alignment on design is achieved. Applies significant knowledge of industry trends, security maturity requirements, standards and developments to improve technical deliveries and service.
  • Responsible for working with the data integration teams to ensure that the model designs and developments are properly applied.
  • Reviews requirements, functional specifications and testing strategies. Recommends alternative technical solutions to meet requirements more efficiently, ensuring greater standardisation and reusability. Recognizes system deficiencies and implements effective solutions.
  • Ensures high quality creation and version control of the code base, meeting security standards, and ensures technical documentation is completed.
  • Defines, communicates and enforces development standards. Follows and is responsible for assigned deliverables within Project and PMO framework
  • Responsible for technical quality assurance, governance and delivery. Performs detailed code reviews and co-ordinates unit, system, performance and integration testing as required.
  • Responsible for transitioning finished technical product into operations and support
  • Pro-actively leads Technology innovation initiatives, sometimes in a ‘hands-on’ capacity, to trial, prototype and evaluate new and emerging technologies that could be utilised by Rank Group
  • Define, oversee and maintain consistent implementation of architecture and ETL.
Technical effort & Resource Management
  • Creates and executes technical development estimates & plans across multiple projects and revises as appropriate to meet changing needs and requirements.
  • Keeps Project manager and Architects / Solution designers well informed of status of development effort and serves as liaison between development staff and project manager.
  • Liaises with Programme Managers, architects and third party service providers (e.g. EPAM, Hosting, SQS, Mkodo & other) to consolidate and manage a forward looking resource demand plan
  • Escalates Risks and issues as appropriate to Management.
Team Leadership and Development
  • Provides guidance and knowledge transfer to peers, team of technical members, Business Systems and Service Delivery teams.
  • Become the Analytics champion and work with other teams to define business solutions to take advantage of opportunities.

Knowledge, Expertise and Qualifications (6 – 8 criteria detailing the knowledge and expertise required to do the job) / Previous Experience:
  • Strong Data Modeling / Architecture background with experience in a large scale environment delivering core services as the foundational blocks for business development
  • Expertise in using modeling tools like SSxS, Erwin, Sybase PowerBuilder, etc… and has knowledge of any of the modeling methodologies: EG. Kimball, Inmon, Data Vault, etc…
  • Defining and maintaining enterprise wide principles, data standards and procedures of conceptual, logical and physical data models.
  • Master Data Management & Data Quality experience
  • Demonstrable experience working with offshore development teams, defining processes and delivering on expectations.
  • Experience working in a cross channel retail operation
  • Any Big Data tool sets such as Hadoop is beneficial and architecture frameworks like Zachman or TOGAF
  • Ideally experience in working within a PCI Compliant environment
  • Ideally experience in working within a regulated gaming environment

Skills:

  • Strong people management experience, including performance management, team leadership, coaching and mentoring.
  • Demonstrable leadership in agile environments and knowledge of project methodology lifecycles
  • Portfolio management, delivery of multiple projects. An innate understanding of how technology can help transform a business
  • Contract & Supplier management, ensuring the vendor is managed as defined within the contract and SOW’s
  • Account management, maximizing Rank’s relationship with the vendor, ownership of vendor issues including vendor measurement: time, quality of delivery, risk and budgets
  • Exceptional SQL Server experience from a development background, including Data Analysis, SSAS, SSIS, SSRS.
  • Data extraction tools
  • Experience working with large data sets
  • SQL Server DBA experience or can demonstrate a strong understanding of how MSSQL operates

Personal Qualities (max 6 behaviours and competencies required to carry out the role) /

Personal:

  • Passionate about building large volume data warehouses
  • Demonstrates a balance between a structured/methodical approach and pragmatism when required.
  • Ability to analyses complex problems, sees connections / trends, and work against the right priorities.
  • Ability to develop and deliver clear, concise communication and communicate highly complex technical information clearly and articulately . Ability to identify and prioritise Stakeholders, build rapport, and tailor communications to meet the stakeholders needs.
  • Demonstrates sense of passion and pride about own work. Positive attitude and adapts well to change. Inspires passion and excitement around shared goals, promoting environment of achievement.
  • Proven experience of influencing at all levels of the Organisation and cross-functionally, and of providing clarity and insight to complex discussions and debates in order to achieve resolution and understanding.